B2 League Round 35 (Regular Season): Bambitious edge Shizuoka by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 35 in the B2 League took place in Shizuoka. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th placed Shizuoka (19-27) to sixth ranked Bambitious (18-28) 70-69 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was American power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) who scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 17 points. Bambitious N.'s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) produced 21 points for the hosts. Bambitious maintains sixth place with 18-28 record. Shizuoka lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fourth position with 27 games lost. They share it with Nishinomiya S. and Fukushima. Bambitious will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play at home against Bambitious (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Iwate. Sixth ranked Big Bulls (15-31) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 3rd placed Watts (25-21) 95-93 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Watts. American center Eric Thompson (204-1993, college: Pacific) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. Kokoro Sekiya contributed with 29 points for the winners. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) answered with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 12 rebounds for Aomori W.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Iwate maintains sixth place with 15-31 record. Aomori W. at the other side keeps the third position with 21 games lost. Iwate will play against higher ranked Aomori W. (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Fourth-ranked Wyverns (21-25) made lots of trouble for third ranked Volters (31-15) in Yamagata on Saturday. The visitors from Kumamoto managed to secure only two-point victory 78-76. However their fans expected easier game. It was a great evening for Aaron White who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. TJ Holyfield responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Volters have a solid series of three victories in a row. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 31-15 record having just one point less than leader Chiba. Loser Wyverns keeps the fourth position with 25 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against Kumamoto V. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 35 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Niigata A. was defeated by Ehime in Matsuyama 91-85. Chiba beat Nishinomiya S. at home 93-83. Niigata A. lost to Ehime on the opponent's court 82-98. Fukushima managed to outperform Koshigaya A. in a home game 84-80.



Ehime OV - Niigata A. 91-85

There was a minor upset in Matsuyama where their close opponent Niigata A. (6-41) was defeated by seventh ranked Orange Vikings (16-31) 91-85 on Friday. Ehime made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. Ehime outrebounded Niigata A. 45-26 including a 16-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 21 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) helped adding 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. American power forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) scored 24 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ehime maintains seventh place with 16-31 record which they share with defeated Niigata A.. Niigata A. lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 41 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: T.Criswell 26+14reb+3ast, S.Davis 24+4reb+2ast, T.Katsumi 9+3reb+3ast, O.Kotaro 8+1reb, H.Ryo 7+3reb+1ast, D.Tomioka 5+6ast
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 30+21reb+3ast, N.Gadson 19+7reb+8ast, T.Furuno 16+2reb+4ast, K.Kazuma 11+2reb, T.Martel 8+6reb+1ast, N.Spikes 4+2reb+2ast

Chiba - Nishinomiya S. 93-83

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Chiba (43-3) defeated at home 4th placed Storks (19-27) 93-83 on Saturday. Chiba forced 19 Nishinomiya S. turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Chiba made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Swingman Reo Maeda (191-1997) helped adding 17 points. American forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Jordan Caroline (201-1996, college: Nevada) scored 15 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba have an impressive series of seventeen victories in a row. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first place with 43-3 record. Nishinomiya S. lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 27 games lost. They share it with Fukushima and Shizuoka. Chiba will meet at home Nishinomiya S. (#4) in the next round. Nishinomiya S. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nishinomiya S.: T.Porter 17+9reb+1ast, J.Caroline 15+4reb+2ast, K.Sena 12+1reb, M.Hisatake 9+5reb+1ast, N.Tani 6+1ast, R.Nakanishi 6+2reb
Chiba: D.Pardon 22+5reb+2ast, M.Reo 17+1reb+1ast, T.Kida 12+4ast, K.Sugimoto 9+4ast, C.Liu 8+2reb+1ast, A.Davis 8+5reb+1ast

Ehime OV - Niigata A. 98-82

There was a minor upset in Matsuyama where their close opponent Niigata A. (6-41) was defeated by seventh ranked Orange Vikings (16-31) 98-82 on Saturday. Ehime made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Ehime outrebounded Niigata A. 35-20 including 27 on the defensive glass. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. It was a great evening for American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 17 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) helped adding 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. American power forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and the other American import forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) scored 28 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ehime maintains seventh place with 16-31 record which they share with defeated Niigata A.. Niigata A. lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 41 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: T.Criswell 33+9reb+3ast, S.Davis 28+6reb+8ast, O.Kotaro 11+2reb+1ast, D.Tomioka 5+2reb+5ast, S.Tanaka 3+1ast, E.Zen 2+1ast
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 25+17reb+3ast, N.Gadson 24+6reb+7ast, H.Tobita 16, T.Furuno 11+5reb+14ast, T.Martel 9+5reb+1ast, Y.Toshino 8+1reb+4ast

Fukushima - Koshigaya A. 84-80

There was a small surprise in Fukushima where fifth ranked Firebonds (19-27) beat second-ranked Alphas (26-20) 84-80 on Saturday. Fukushima shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 54.5 percentage. It was a great evening for Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds. The former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) helped adding 14 points and 6 assists. Four Firebonds players scored in double figures. American forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) responded with 22 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) scored 5 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Fukushima moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nishinomiya S. and Shizuoka. Loser Alphas keeps the second position with 20 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home league's second-placed Koshigaya A. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: J.Harper 22+8reb+2ast, L.Peak 14+1reb+2ast, M.Shun 11+2reb+1ast, H.Kenshin 9+3reb+1ast, K.Makoto 7+2reb, T.Hasegawa 6+1reb+2ast
Fukushima: G.Echenique 14+5reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 14+2reb+6ast, R.Ivanauskas 13+15reb+3ast, K.Taketo 11+4reb+4ast, T.Takeshi 8+1reb+1ast, T.King 8+5reb+1ast

Iwate - Aomori W. 95-93

Important game to mention about took place in Iwate. Sixth ranked Big Bulls (15-31) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 3rd placed Watts (25-21) 95-93 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Watts. Iwate made 18-of-21 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They also forced 24 Aomori W. turnovers. American center Eric Thompson (204-1993, college: Pacific) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. Point guard Kokoro Sekiya (179) contributed with 29 points for the winners. Four Big Bulls players scored in double figures. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) answered with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 12 rebounds and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 17 points in the effort for Aomori W.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Iwate maintains sixth place with 15-31 record. Aomori W. at the other side keeps the third position with 21 games lost. Iwate will play against higher ranked Aomori W. (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: J.Hamilton 31+12reb+1ast, P.Auda 17+4reb+3ast, K.Tsuneta 14+3ast, E.Montgomery 9+7reb, I.Yuichi 8+1reb+11ast, T.Susumu 6
Iwate: S.Kokoro 29+1reb+3ast, E.Thompson 19+15reb+3ast, K.Martin 19+8reb+2ast, Y.Toshiki 17+1reb+1ast, T.Nihira 7+2reb, I.Harumichi 4+1reb+1ast

Shizuoka - Bambitious N. 69-70

The most exciting game of round 35 in the B2 League took place in Shizuoka. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th placed Shizuoka (19-27) to sixth ranked Bambitious (18-28) 70-69 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was American power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) who scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 17 points. Four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. Bambitious N.'s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) produced 21 points and American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn St.) added 10 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Bambitious maintains sixth place with 18-28 record. Shizuoka lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fourth position with 27 games lost. They share it with Nishinomiya S. and Fukushima. Bambitious will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play at home against Bambitious (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
VELTEX SHIZUOKA: T.Bropleh 21+4reb+2ast, J.Harrar 10+10reb+1ast, K.Lawson 9+8reb, Y.Okada 9+4reb+7ast, N.Hashimoto 7+3reb+1ast, K.Shinkawa 6+3reb+2ast
Bambitious N.: C.Jackson 20+5reb+4ast, S.Hines 17+4reb+1ast, J.Honda 11+9reb+2ast, M.Komaki 10+3reb+1ast, S.Ishii 5, K.Kohei 4+6reb+3ast

Yamagata - Kumamoto V. 76-78

Fourth-ranked Wyverns (21-25) made lots of trouble for third ranked Volters (31-15) in Yamagata on Saturday. The visitors from Kumamoto managed to secure only two-point victory 78-76. However their fans expected easier game. It was a great evening for American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import center Jamel McLean (203-1988, college: Xavier) helped adding 18 points and 11 rebounds. American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists and American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) scored 21 points and 7 rebounds. Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Volters have a solid series of three victories in a row. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 31-15 record having just one point less than leader Chiba. Loser Wyverns keeps the fourth position with 25 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against Kumamoto V. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: R.Adams 21+7reb+1ast, T.Holyfield 14+12reb+7ast, O.Kazuma 11+3reb+3ast, A.Ryusei 10+3reb, M.Finke 10+6reb+5ast, T.Shirato 7+4reb+3ast
Kumamoto V.: A.White 18+10reb+3ast, J.McLean 18+11reb+1ast, I.Yuma 8+4reb, K.Hayate 8+4reb+6ast, N.Ren 7+2reb+5ast, T.Woodbury 6+5reb+1ast